Injector for introducing a capsular tension ring, and assembly and method for such an injector

Abstract

An injector for introducing a capsular tension ring and intended for once-only use, and a method for manufacturing such an injector. The injector includes: a housing extending in longitudinal direction of the injector, and a throughfeed channel. A plunger is arranged movably in the channel and includes an engaging means for engaging the capsular tension ring, and further includes a guide element on a guide arm. A spring mechanism co-acts with the plunger and is configured to displace the plunger from a starting state, in which the engaging means engages the capsular tension ring, to an activating state in which the capsular tension ring is carried inward into the throughfeed channel. The housing has a guide with first and second channel parts, and a wall part for carrying the guide element from the first to the second channel part, and the first channel part is provided with a resistance threshold.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An injector for introducing a capsular tension ring and intended for once-only use, the injector comprising:
 a housing provided from a first and a second housing part extending in longitudinal direction of the injector, and a throughfeed channel; 
 a plunger arranged movably in the throughfeed channel of the housing and provided with an engaging means configured to engage on the capsular tension ring to be introduced, and further provided with a guide element arranged on a guide arm; and 
 a spring mechanism which co-acts with the plunger and which is configured to displace the plunger from a starting state, in which the engaging means engages on the capsular tension ring, to an activating state in which the capsular tension ring is carried inward into the throughfeed channel of the injector, 
 wherein the housing is further provided with a guide configured to at least partially receive the guide element such that the plunger is guidable from the starting state to the activating state, 
 wherein the guide is provided with a first channel part which extends parallel to the throughfeed channel for guiding the plunger in a forward direction, a second channel part configured to carry the guide element therein at an angle to the throughfeed channel in an at least partially rearward direction such that the spring mechanism can carry the plunger to the activating state, and a wall part for carrying the guide element from the first to the second channel part, and 
 wherein the first channel part is provided with a resistance threshold with a resistance height which is smaller than the height of the guide arm. 
 
     
     
       2. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the height of the guide arm and the resistance height is greater than 1.5. 
     
     
       3. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the resistance height amounts to a maximum of 0.75 mm. 
     
     
       4. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wall part is provided with a wall height greater than 1.25 mm. 
     
     
       5. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the guide arm is provided with a length-height ratio of at least 0.05. 
     
     
       6. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a front contact surface of the guide element makes an angle of at least 100° with the longitudinal direction of the guide arm. 
     
     
       7. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plunger is manufactured from a material comprising a component with a lubricating effect relative to the housing. 
     
     
       8. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing is further provided with an end, wherein the end is provided with a chamfering. 
     
     
       9. The injector as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the chamfering comprises an angle of inclination in the range of 30°-60°. 
     
     
       10. An assembly of an injector and a capsular tension ring, wherein the injector for introducing a capsular tension ring and intended for once-only use comprises:
 a housing provided from a first and a second housing part extending in longitudinal direction of the injector, and a throughfeed channel; 
 a plunger arranged movably in the throughfeed channel of the housing and provided with an engaging means configured to engage on the capsular tension ring to be introduced, and further provided with a guide element arranged on a guide arm; and 
 a spring mechanism which co-acts with the plunger and which is configured to displace the plunger from a starting state, in which the engaging means engages on the capsular tension ring, to an activating state in which the capsular tension ring is carried inward into the throughfeed channel of the injector, 
 wherein the housing is further provided with a guide configured to at least partially receive the guide element such that the plunger is guidable from the starting state to the activating state, 
 wherein the guide is provided with a first channel part which extends parallel to the throughfeed channel for guiding the plunger in a forward direction, a second channel part configured to carry the guide element therein at an angle to the throughfeed channel in an at least partially rearward direction such that the spring mechanism can carry the plunger to the activating state, and a wall part for carrying the guide element from the first to the second channel part, and 
 wherein the first channel part is provided with a resistance threshold with a resistance height which is smaller than the height of the guide arm. 
 
     
     
       11. A method for manufacturing an injector for introducing a capsular tension ring and intended for once-only use, the method comprising providing an injector for introducing a capsular tension ring and intended for once-only use, the injector comprising:
 a housing provided from a first and a second housing part extending in longitudinal direction of the injector, and a throughfeed channel; 
 a plunger arranged movably in the throughfeed channel of the housing and provided with an engaging means configured to engage on the capsular tension ring to be introduced, and further provided with a guide element arranged on a guide arm; and 
 a spring mechanism which co-acts with the plunger and which is configured to displace the plunger from a starting state, in which the engaging means engages on the capsular tension ring, to an activating state in which the capsular tension ring is carried inward into the throughfeed channel of the injector, 
 wherein the housing is further provided with a guide configured to at least partially receive the guide element such that the plunger is guidable from the starting state to the activating state, 
 wherein the guide is provided with a first channel part which extends parallel to the throughfeed channel for guiding the plunger in a forward direction, a second channel part configured to carry the guide element therein at an angle to the throughfeed channel in an at least partially rearward direction such that the spring mechanism can carry the plunger to the activating state, and a wall part for carrying the guide element from the first to the second channel part, and 
 wherein the first channel part is provided with a resistance threshold with a resistance height which is smaller than the height of the guide arm. 
 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising arranging a capsular tension ring in the starting state. 
     
     
       13. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the height of the guide arm and the resistance height is greater than 1.75. 
     
     
       14. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the resistance height amounts to a maximum of 0.7 mm. 
     
     
       15. The injector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the guide arm is provided with a length-height ratio of at least 0.055. 
     
     
       16. The injector as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the chamfering comprises an angle of inclination in the range of 40°-50°. 
     
     
       17. The injector as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the resistance height amounts to a maximum of 0.75 mm. 
     
     
       18. The injector as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the wall part is provided with a wall height greater than 1.25 mm. 
     
     
       19. The injector as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the guide arm is provided with a length-height ratio of at least 0.05. 
     
     
       20. The injector as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the housing is further provided with an end, wherein the end is provided with a chamfering, and wherein the chamfering comprises an angle of inclination in the range of 30°-60°.